"Bill Rubenstein" wrote in message

Woodfast also used to make a very nice shortbed lathe. Woodfast, however,
is no longer
building lathes at all. Vicmarc also builds longbed lathes but I'd guess
that they sell many
more of the shortbed. Once you turn bowls and hollow forms on a shortbed
you will not want
to go back to a longbed. Those machines with sliding headstocks, rotating
headstocks, etc.
are no substitute for a good shortbed.

While I can guess at the reason for this, I'd appreciate your take on
shortbed vs. longbed. Why would a longbed be any less desirable for bowls
and hollows? Thanks in advance, Bill.

Max